Step-ladder.



A. S. SOULE.

STEP LADDER. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. a, 1010.

986,953. Patented Mar.14, 1911.

wi/immoeo UNITE OFFICE.

ARIAL S. SOULE, OF FAYETTE, IDAHO, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO B. H. 'WOODS, OF FAYETTE, IDAHO.

STEP-LADDER,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed September 8, 1910.

Patented Mar. let, 1.911.

Serial No. 580.978v

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Alum. S. Soon a citizen of the United States, residing at Payette, in the county of Canyon and State of Idaho, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Step-Ladders; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in step ladders.

()ne object of the invention is to provide a step ladder which is particularly adapted for picking fruit and having an improved construction of wheeled supporting mechanism which may be run up close to the trunk of the tree so that the upper end of the ladder will project into the top of the tree, thus facilitating the gathering of the fruit.

Another object is to provide a ladder of this character having means whereby the same may be adjusted and supported at different angles.

\Vith the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be more fully described and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a front perspective view of my i1nproved ladder; Fig. 2 is a rear perspective view of the same; and Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view through one of the wheeled supporting legs showing the construction and arrangemei'it of the axles for the sup porting wheels.

Referring more particularly to the drawings 1 denotes the step portion of the ladder, said step portion comprising side bars 2 which are preferably arranged slightly closer together at their lower ends than at their upper ends and to which are secured in any suitable manner the steps Pivotally and adjustably connected to the outer sides of the side bars 2 substantially mid way between their ends are rearwardly projecting supporting legs 1-, said legs being firmly secured together by diagonally arranged crossed brace bars 5 secured to the upper edges of the legs as shown. The legs 4 are adjustably and pivotally connected to the side bar 2 of the step portion of the ladder by pivot bolts (3 which are adapted to be engaged with a series of bolt holes 7 formed in the bars 2 as shown. The legs l; preferably diverge at a greater distance apart at their lower outer ends than at their inner ends, thus providing a lirm substantial sup port for the ladder.

tiecured to the inner sides of the legs 1: adjacent to their outer ends and projecting through the same are right angularly formed axles 8, the inner ends of which are preferably flattened and secured to the legs l: by fastening bolts or screws as shown. ()11 the rcalwardly projecting outer ends of the shaft are rcvolubly mounted supporting wheels 9 which a re held in operative engagement with the axles in any suitable manner.

livotally connected at their forward ends to the outer sides of the side bars 2 near the lower ends thereof are brace bars 10 which project rearwardly and are adapted to be adjustably connected at their rear ends with the legs it by means of a series of notches 1.1. formed in the lower edges of the brace bars and adapted to be engaged with connecting bolts arranged in and projecting laterally from the outer sides of the legs as shown. The forward ends of the brace bars 10 project a short distance beyond the front side of the step portion of the ladder and are preferably shaped to form handles 13.

By forming the axles for the rear supporting wheels as herein shown and described it will be seen that no obstruction will be formed which will prevent the ladder from being pushed up into close engagement with the trunk of a tree so that the upper portion of the ladder will project close into the b 'anehes or top of the tree thus facilitating the reaching and picking of the fruit. By adjustably connecting the rear ends of the brace bars 10 with the legs and adjustably connecting the upper ends of the legs to the side bars of the step portion of the ladder, said portion may be adjusted and secured at different angles of inclination. It will also be noticed that by arranging the supporting meclmnisrn and connecting the same to the step portion of the ladder as herein shown that the weight or pressure of the step portion will be over the center of the supporting mechanism and that the usual props which are connected to the upper portion of the ladder are dispensed with. By providing the wheels on the rear ends of the legs 4;

and providing handles on the forward ends of the brace bars 10 the ladder may be readily pushed or wheeled from place to place.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the construction and operation of the inven tion will be readily understood without requiring a more extended explanation.

Various changes in the form, proportion and the minor details of construction may be resorted to Without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In a step ladder, a step portion, a pair of supporting legs pivotally and adjustably connected at their forward ends to the opposite sides of the step portion, supporting wheels revolubly mounted on the rear ends of said legs, means to brace and hold said legs spaced apart, a pair of brace bars piv otally connected at their forward ends to the opposite sides of the step portion of the ladder, said bars having formed in their rear ends a series of fastening notches, and bolts secured to and projecting from said legs and adapted to receive the fastening notches in said brace bars whereby the latter are adjustably secured to the supporting legs to hold the step portion of the ladder at different angles.

2. In a step ladder, a step portion tapered toward its lower end, supporting legs adj ustably pivoted at their forward ends to the opposite sides of said step portion, said legs diverging toward their outer ends, cross brace bars secured to said legs to hold the 40 bly mounted on the laterally projecting portions of the axles, brace bars pivotally connected near their forward ends to the opposite sides of the step portion of the ladder, said bars having formed on their forward ends handles and in their rear ends a series of fastening notches, and bolts arranged in said legs and projecting laterally from the outer side thereof to receive the notched ends of said brace bars whereby the latter are adjustably secured thereto to hold the ladder at the desired angle.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ARIAL S. SOULE.

lVitnesses H. N. OLsBY, C. W. THURsToN.

flopies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0. 

